Introducing Annie Maul, #386

Happy hump day! It’s time for another q&a with one of our ladies. She’s our tallest and most positive player (I have never heard her say a negative thing!). I love what Annie says at the end about skills taking time to develop. She’s been a true leader on our team.

Q. This is your second season with LOLRD, but you’re very comfortable on the track (think pro status). What other teams have you skated for and for how long?

A. I started skating in 2007 for the Lilac City Rollergirls of Spokane Washington. I have also skated for the Spokannibals (also of Spokane, unsurprisingly). I haven’t skated consistently since 2007, but I have skated a lot.

Q. Your height seems to play as an advantage and disadvantage on the track. Tell us about that.

A. I am 6’4″ without skates.

Advantages:
– I can always see what is happening,
– I can manipulate my center of gravity to twist and move in unexpected ways.
– Apex jumps must be easier.

Disadvantages:
– Everyone knows where I am (No sneaking through the pack)
– My high center of gravity can put me at a disadvantage in a shoving match.
– Meshing hips to form walls with my teammates is definitely more difficult.

Q. Your Halloween costume this past year was awesome. How did that relate to what you do as your profession? How did you come to land in Utah?

A. I was a mad scientist for Halloween, and it relates to my profession since I am an electrical engineer for the power company. That job was also my reason for moving to Salt Lake City.

Q. What advice would you have for your 14-year-old self? Were you awkward? I was awkward!

A. I was awkward, both physically and socially. In the interest of not altering my hypothetical future (which has been pretty good so far), I would probably tell my 14-year-old self that “Life will get easier and better. It won’t take ridiculously long. Keep trying and improving.”

Q. You’re a gifted skater and a quiet leader. How did you come to be so awesome? Do you have a life event that refined you? Or have you just always been this great?

A. I feel like rejecting this question, on the grounds that it contains far too much undue praise. Still, I’ll give it a shot. I keep trying to improve little by little. It’s impossible to quickly learn skating, social skills, or anything else worthy of note. So keep pushing yourself to be a little better every time you go out on the track. Learn a new skill or improve one you already have. Over time, the effect will be huge.